TL;DR
In short
- Checkmyfile is an optional way to review your credit report; free statutory reports are also available.
- The standard offer is a seven-day trial for eligible new UK customers aged 18+; check the offer when registering. It then renews at £14.99 a month unless you cancel.
- Complete the required identity and payment verification before access is available. Verification can delay access.
- When your report is available, follow the current help steps to create and download a PDF, then keep it secure.
- Cancel before the trial ends if you do not want the first charge, and check that you receive a cancellation confirmation. A credit score alone does not determine a mortgage decision.
Checkmyfile is one optional service for reviewing your credit history and report before a mortgage application. It is not required to check your credit information or to apply for a mortgage: you can also obtain free statutory credit reports, as MoneyHelper explains. Checking your own report does not lower your score.
This guide explains the published registration, PDF and cancellation steps. Checkmyfile’s terms and help pages can change, so confirm the current offer and instructions before acting.
Step 1: Registration
To register, use Checkmyfile (ad/affiliate link). The standard offer described by Checkmyfile is a seven-day trial followed by automatic monthly renewal at £14.99. It is for eligible new customers who are aged 18 or over and live in the UK, so check the offer shown during registration.
The trial starts on the day you sign up. You will need to complete identity and payment verification, and security questions or card authentication may be required. Access can be delayed while verification is completed; Checkmyfile’s signup help explains the published process. Its Terms of Use and your welcome email show the first payment date; do not assume that a separate contractual cancellation right is a free trial.
Step 2: Generate and download a credit report
Once your report is available, Checkmyfile’s current published help says to go to Home, select Create PDF, then choose Download PDF. Its PDF guide also covers the Print/save my file alternative and device-specific instructions.
A saved PDF is a snapshot. Download a new copy when you need current information, but remember that refreshing a report does not make lenders send new data. Lender and agency update timing varies and can take weeks. A credit report contains sensitive personal and financial information, so store it securely and share it only with people or organisations you trust.
Step 3: Reading information from the report
Open the PDF in a trusted reader and check the information behind any score: your personal details, accounts, balances, payment history and any inaccuracies. If you find an error, follow the relevant provider’s process to query or correct it. Accurate negative information may remain on a report, so correcting an error does not guarantee that information will be removed.
A consumer credit score can be a useful indicator, but it is not a mortgage decision. Lenders use their own criteria and consider the report alongside your application, income, spending, debts, deposit and affordability.
How do I protect myself from Checkmyfile charges?
If you do not want the subscription to renew, cancel before the trial ends and before the first payment date shown in Billing or your welcome email. Checkmyfile’s published route is to select your account initials, choose Billing, then Cancel, and complete the displayed prompts. The initials are shown at the top right on mobile and at the bottom left on desktop, although the interface may change.
Use Checkmyfile’s subscription-management guide for the current instructions. You can also contact help@checkmyfile.com or call 01872 304050. Keep and check the cancellation confirmation or reference; if it does not arrive, follow up. Leaving the account unused, deleting a PDF or replacing a payment card does not cancel a subscription. Cancellation and refund outcomes depend on the applicable terms and payment period.
When should I check my credit report before a mortgage?
Reviewing your report early can give you time to understand the information a lender may consider and to query any inaccuracies. It is one useful part of the steps to buying a property in the UK, but it does not establish affordability or guarantee a lending outcome.
If you prefer the paid service, you can return to Checkmyfile (ad/affiliate link) and confirm its current terms at registration. Do not make blanket changes such as closing a credit card solely to change a score: the effect depends on your circumstances and may increase your credit utilisation.
For practical ways to understand the factors that can affect your record, read our guide to improving your credit score. It cannot guarantee a particular score, mortgage offer or timescale.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is Checkmyfile free?
Checkmyfile’s standard offer is a seven-day trial for eligible new customers aged 18+ who live in the UK. It then renews automatically at £14.99 a month unless you cancel. Check the offer and first payment date during registration. Free statutory credit reports are also available.
When can I access and download my report?
Access is available after the required identity and payment verification is completed, which can cause a delay. When your report is available, the published steps are Home, Create PDF and Download PDF. The PDF is a snapshot, so download a new copy when you need updated information.
How do I cancel before a charge?
Cancel before the trial ends and before the first payment date. Select your account initials, then Billing and Cancel, and complete the prompts. Check that you receive a confirmation or reference; contact Checkmyfile if you do not.
Does checking my report affect my score?
No. Checking your own credit report does not lower your credit score. The information in a report and the score shown by a consumer service are not the only factors a lender considers.
Do I need Checkmyfile to apply for a mortgage?
No. Checkmyfile is optional, and you can obtain free statutory credit reports. Mortgage lenders use their own criteria and assess your credit history alongside your application and affordability, so no consumer score can guarantee approval.
